Shloka 34
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
प्रहरिष्यन् प्रियं ब्रूयात् प्रहरन्नपि भारत | प्रहत्य च कृपायीत शोचन्निव रुदन्निव
praharīṣyan priyaṁ brūyāt praharann api bhārata | prahatya ca kṛpāyīta śocann iva rudann iva ||
毗湿摩说道：“噢，婆罗多的后裔，即将出击之时，乃至出击之际，君王也应只说悦人之言。即便击倒敌人之后，仍当示以悲悯——显出哀伤，仿佛在悲泣哭号。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, a ruler must restrain cruelty: speak gently before and during combat, and after defeating the enemy, show compassion rather than gloating—maintaining dharma and inner self-mastery.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on the conduct of a king in conflict—how to combine necessary force with humane speech and post-battle compassion.